Arrangements

The old man said: "We are all family, so we should help each other. When our Xu family was having a hard time, our in-laws would often help us. I am not the kind of person who would be ungrateful."

Old Zhang chimed in: "Let's not dwell on the past. Those hard times are behind us! Our lives are getting better, and we have more to look forward to every day!"

"That's true!"

"Will Wenwu become an official someday?" Mrs. Chen asked, showing her lack of understanding.

Xu Wenwu replied: "Grandmother, next March I'll be going to the capital for the imperial examination. If I do well, I might get appointed to a position."

Mrs. Chen's face lit up with joy: "That's incredible! The capital is where the Emperor lives! I heard that the people there live, eat and wear luxuriously!"

Mrs. Wang smiled: "Well, that's simple. When the chance comes, Wenwu can take you there for a visit. You won't have to feel left out anymore."

Mrs. Chen shook her head and said: "I won't go. There are too many rules there. I heard that even eating has its own rules. An old woman like me can't handle all that. It's not like at home, where I can just hold a bowl and visit neighbors and chat."

Everyone continued chatting for some time.

Old Li Zhang and Old Li didn't stay for dinner at home and rushed back in a hurry.

......

Capital

"Master, Master Su is not in the capital."

Jing Chen frowned: "When did he leave?"

"About two weeks ago, my lord."

Jingchen pondered for a moment: "Do you know where he went?"

"My men reported that someone saw him heading south."

The Xu Family was the first thought that came to Jingchen's mind, and a hint of longing flickered in his eyes.

"General Cui's daughter, Miss Cui, also went with him." Ye Feng said.

Jingchen curled the corners of his mouth.

"Master, there's a banquet at the palace tonight. It's supposed to be a gathering of the emperor and his ministers. However, the empress instructed that all third-ranked officials should attend with their families. I suspect it's for the sake of finding a concubine for the eldest prince." Ye Feng continued.

"I won't be attending!" Jingchen stated.

"Understood, Master!" Ye Feng acknowledged promptly.

"Arrange a carriage for me."

"At once, my lord!"

...…

The next day, the village chief found the old man and said: "Brother, with Wenwu passing the exam, shouldn't we tell our ancestors about this?"

The old man thought for a moment: "Yes, choose a date, village chief."

The village chief said: "I've looked into it, and we can burn incense and pray to our ancestors tomorrow."

The old man nodded: "All right, we'll do it the village chief's arrangements!"

Telling the ancestors meant that whenever something big and happy happened in the village, a respected elder from the family and the village chief would go before the memorial tablet for their ancestors. They would give them the good news so they could be pleased even after death.

Of course, as the person involved, Xu Wenwu must also be present to let the ancestors see him, to show that the Xu family has produced a talented person.

After planning this out, the village chief went to prepare everything for the ceremony the next day.

Mrs. Zhang often sent Xu Wenwu to take the Wen Die siblings out for walks.

Wen Die would also talk to Xu Wenwu. She knew he liked books, so they chatted about what they read. Through these conversations, Xu Wenwu discovered that Wen Die was actually a very talented girl who wrote beautiful calligraphy. She had a natural air of an educated person about her.

"Fuqiu, what's wrong?" Qibao noticed Fuqiu seemed tired for the last few days.

"I'm fine, miss!" Fuqiu replied.

Qibao didn't need to be told—she knew it was about the big brother and Wen Die. She asked: "Are you upset because you see my Eldest Brother and Sister Die'er together often?"

Fuqiu frantically waved her hands: "Miss, Fuqiu is not uncomfortable, Fuqiu thinks that Miss Wen and the Young Master are a good match, a good match for each other."

Though Qibao had never been in a relationship herself, she knew how to comfort Fuqiu. She patted her on the shoulder and told her to get some rest. Since Fuqiu worked closely with her, Qibao was familiar with her personality and wasn't worried about anything out of line happening.

"Miss, aren't you going to send me to school? When is it going to be? I want to be like the young master, a successful candidate for official positions." Yaya ran up and hugged Qibao's leg.

Qibao smiled: "Yaya, why do you want to be a candidate for official positions?"

"Because I want to make my mother and Miss happy," Yaya replied.

Qibao said: "Yaya, I am not sending you to school because I am happy. I hope you can learn to read and be polite. Only then can you be a good child."

"When can I go to school? I want to be a good child!" Yaya asked eagerly.

"You're too young right now. Next year, when you're six, I'll send you." Qibao assured her.

Yaya's face lit up: "Great! I'll listen to Miss!"

"Good girl, go play with Zhi'er now."

"Okay!" The little girl ran off with a skip in her step.

Yaya had changed since she first entered the Xu family. She was now lively, chubby, and sweet-talking, winning the hearts of everyone around her.

.......

Early the next morning, Xu Wenwu and his grandfather freshened up and headed to the ancestral hall together, joined by several clan elders and the village chief.

After the memorial ceremony, the village chief and the elders stayed for lunch at the Xu family home.

Following the meal, they decided that the Xu family village would open to tourists in three days.

Early the next morning, Xu Dabo went to notify the residents of Xingfu Home.

Xingfu Home was the name given to the houses the Xu family had built for refugees. The name, which means 'Happy Home,' was suggested by Xu Wenwu without any particular meaning beyond expressing a wish for happiness.

The residents loved it. Since then, the area had been expanded significantly, and a large signboard was erected at the entrance with "XINGFU HOME" written on top and "XU" below. They cherished this signboard, recognizing it as the handwriting of their benefactor, the Xu family, and especially of the esteemed juren—a respected scholar of the imperial examination.

When they heard that the Xu family village would open in three days, the men of Xingfu Home took it upon themselves to spread the word, while the women prepared small crafts to sell.

The Xu family village sprang into action as well. Everyone tended to the flowers and gardens, cleaned up, and got ready for the opening.

During these three days, Mrs. Wang taught the women of the Xingfu Home how to make simple snacks: pumpkin cakes, pancakes, fried dumplings, and spicy noodles—recipes Qibao had taught her before.

Everyone was grateful beyond measure to the Xu family. Not only were they given a place to live, but now they were taught how to earn money too.

Mrs. Wang's teaching wasn't uncompensated. Some food ingredients were exclusive to the Xu family. For people to use them had a cost, even if this small amount meant little to the Xu family, it was the rule.

The villagers could set their own prices, but they had to be fair. Cheating people would damage Xujia Village's reputation.

On the day before opening, the Xu family also fetched their custom-made uniforms. All the clothes were identical, specially designed for the security guards. This way, tourists who needed information could easily spot them. It was a very thoughtful detail.

With all preparations complete, everyone was anxious yet excited. They had spent over three years building Xujia Village, and tomorrow would be the moment of truth.

That night, many people in Xujia Village tossed and turned, unable to sleep.